After all that I had been through today, and after all that I had discovered, for some reason, encountering a cat that I had never seen before brought me to be quite territorial. "Really? I can trust you?" I retorted, slightly shifting away from this Cinderpelt. "How on earth am I supposed to take your word for it?"

The gray she-cat sighed, and I found myself trying to focus on her distressed blue gaze to distract from my discomfort and pain. "In your current condition, I'm not sure if you have much of a choice."

I let out a slight hiss as a pain shot through my side, causing my next words to come out in more of a growl. "What do you mean? Of course I do!"

This time, I couldn't bring myself to move again as Cinderpelt took another pawstep towards me. "Okay, let's put it this way – if that was the case, the worst that could happen is that I ultimately don't help you deliver your kits," she replied, her gaze growing sharper, "which is what will happen for certain if you continue to turn me away."

Truly trying to absorb the she-cat's words, I found that I could only stare at her warily for a few moments as I tried to breath through my pain. All of the dreams I've ever had in my life have made more sense than this day, I couldn't help but think. I watched my mate kill a cat that I thought was his ally, very likely split with him, and now I have a stranger appearing to help me give birth. "But I still have no idea who you are," I finally forced out. "How can I at least trust that you know what you're doing?"

"I'm sorry to use this phrase again, but trust me, I know what I'm doing," Cinderpelt immediately replied, her eyes now wider with urgency. "Healing and taking care of other cats is what I do."

Before I could even open my mouth to question the she-cat, she shook her head and sat down right next to my flank. "I really wish that I could elaborate, but there isn't time," she then meowed quickly. "Will you – what's your name?"

I simply let out a sigh, finally deciding to give in to the she-cat. Honestly, any scenario that might happen here will still likely be better that what I've already experienced today... "Mist," I answered simply.

"Mist, will you please take a chance on me?" Cinderpelt then insisted, her eyes still gleaming with concern. "I don't know what I'd do with myself if I left you here to struggle on your own."

And after those words, it only took me a moment to observe that genuine care and sympathy that was glowing in Cinderpelt's blue eyes. And if somehow she was faking it, she was a pretty gosh-darn talented cat, and a very horrible one too.

But at this point, I could only trust that was all genuine, and I suddenly was very tempted to cling onto the she-cat's kindness. "Okay," I then breathed. "What do I need to do?"

Further reassuring me, Cinderpelt let out a quick, relieved huff. "Alright," she then sighed as she then put one of her paws on my belly. "It looks like the first kit is fast approaching. All I need you to do is push when I ask you to."

And it was at this moment – now that my fear of stranger danger was past – that the situation at hand finally hit me. I was about to give birth. I was about to bring kits into the world. I was about to become a mother.

And despite all of the physical pain I was going through, I still managed to feel the weirdness as my stomach seemed to twist up into a nervous knot. "...Okay," was all I was able to give Cinderpelt in response.

Seeming to sense my sudden apprehension, I felt Cinderpelt give a gentle stroke of my belly with her paw. "It's going to be okay, I promise," she then meowed soothingly. I then watched curiously as she looked from side to side, before then padding a little ways away and then returning with a stick in her jaws and setting it down beside her. "Now, this is going to hurt. Is this your first time doing this?"

I closed my eyes for a moment, giving a hesitant nod. "Yes, it is."

Cinderpelt's eyes briefly flashed with sympathy once again. "I figured – you look so young..." I was then surprised to observe the immense fear beginning to glow in her eyes, but before I could ask about it, she shook her head once again and then lashed her tail towards the object in front of her. "Do you need a stick to bite on? It doesn't make the pain any better, but it sure makes it easier to get through."

I managed to give a stiff shrug and let out a weak purr. "Might as well prepare for the worst of the worst, right?"

Cinderpelt also managed to let out a small purr, and she then picked up the stick once again and let me grab hold of it in my own jaws. And almost as if on cue, as soon as my teeth seemed to meet with bark, I felt so much discomfort and pain run through my stomach all at once, bringing me to want to bite down on the stick like my life depended on it. Cinderpelt is right, I thought, this certainly doesn't relieve any pain... but something about being able to sink my teeth into the object allowed me to somewhat focus on something else, and to bring my tension elsewhere.

And thank goodness I had this stick, because I truly didn't think that I had ever felt so much pain all at once. "My gosh, is it really supposed to hurt this much?" I forced out through my full mouth.

"It does when your kits want to come out as quickly as they are," Cinderpelt meowed, her gaze concentrated on my belly, but her paw still stroking it comfortingly. "Are you ready to push, Mist?"

As this reality hit me all over again, I had to take a moment to close my eyes and take a deep breath. "I think it would be to my detriment to say no."

Cinderpelt managed to give another purr and a nod. "Absolutely!" she then exclaimed before flashing me a brief reassuring look. "Then go on – and remember to breath."

Holy hot dogs with a hemorrhage, here we go.

Even though I wanted more than anything to somehow run away in fear, I took another deep breath and then did as I was told, beginning to push and already bracing myself for even more pain.

That came immediately.

And suddenly, I was so thankful that I actually had another cat here with me – not to mention one that claimed to have experience with this, however that was possible. I would have had no idea what to do in this moment, with the pain completely fogging my common sense or sense of judgment.

All that I could think about right now was how much pain I was in, and also the fact that I was about to have a kit. My own kit.

And as Cinderpelt kept urging me and encouraging me to keep pushing, I was suddenly filled with a new determination as I continued to do so. I was sure that the pain was getting worse now, but it didn't matter to me anymore.

"Mist, you are doing so well," Cinderpelt meowed enthusiastically, further pushing me on. "Keep going – you are so close!"

And with that, I gave the biggest push that I could muster up, followed by the largest amount of physical pain I was certain that I would ever feel.

But then, the biggest amount of relief followed. And once again, I felt – and also somewhat hoped – that this was the only one.

And within just a heartbeat, I felt my own heart melt as Cinderpelt then bent her head sown, settling down a little bundle right down in front of me. "And that's one – the only one, Mist," the she-cat then meowed softly, confirming my gut feeling. "You did it."

For several moments, I couldn't even speak, and I actually felt as if my soul would leave my own body with how overwhelmed I was with happiness, and so, so much love. "Oh my goodness..." I whispered, wanting to do nothing but just stare down at the little scrap forever. But instinctively, I knew that I had to lick it out of its sack.

Cinderpelt watched happily as I did so, for some reason looking just as relieved as I was. And after she gave my kit a sniff, she gave a sharp nod and murmured, "It's a little she-cat!"

A daughter. My daughter. "And she's perfect," I then breathed as I watched her squirm in her spot and let out little mews. "She..."

I somehow managed to observe my new kit even harder, and also somehow managed to feel even more overwhelmed as I looked down her brown tabby and white fur. She's more than perfect... "She..." I tried again, my voice thick with emotion. "She looks almost just like my mother."

I then slightly averted my gaze as Cinderpelt settled down beside me, just having come from a nearby bush. "She must have been absolutely beautiful then." I then flicked my ears in surprise as the gray she-cat then lifted up one of her paws, revealing a few leaves. "Here."

I first gave a slow nod, trying to push back the emotion welling up in my eyes, but nevertheless letting the grief I was feeling fully encapsule me – something I had never let myself do. "Oh, she was," I replied regarding Cinderpelt's observation. And if this kit becomes half of who Chrissy was, then I will feel like I've succeeded as a mother.

I then nodded to the leaves that Cinderpelt held in her paw. "What are these?"

"Borage leaves," Cinderpelt answered. "They'll make sure that your kit has enough milk to keep her healthy and strong. It looks like you're just fine for now, but just to be certain."

Hopefully not poison... I told myself, trying to lean onto the fact that Cinderpelt was that experienced that she knew what remedies I needed, as I licked up all of the leaves. "Thank goodness," I meowed through my full mouth.

I then tilted my head, filled with curiosity all over again as I noticed Cinderpelt give a nod, and let out what sounded like a long, exhausted sigh of relief. "Why do you seem more relieved than I am?" I asked with humor in my voice. "Did I actually have reason to question you before, and you actually have no experience and you just got lucky?"

Cinderpelt managed to let out a purr of amusement. "Oh goodness, no! I wasn't lying to you at all! I just..." She then let out another sigh. "I'm just so thankful that I got the opportunity to do this right."

I then flashed the she-cat a confused, concerned look that brought her to further explain. "I've helped a she-cat give birth in the past, when I was younger, and... I lost her," she then meowed solemnly, her eyes revealing the heaviness that she still carried in her heart. "Trust me, I've received so much more training since then, and have learned so much and learned that... you can't save everyone no matter how much you try, but..."

She then gave a shake of her head, and met my gaze warmly. "Thank you, Mist, for giving me a chance to try again." She then let out another purr, giving me the lightest nudge with her tail. "This is probably a lot to hear from a complete stranger."

I shook my head quickly, immediately giving reassurance to the she-cat as affection welled up inside of me. "That's okay! I'd say that a cat that helps me deliver my kit at least is upgraded from a stranger to an acquaintance."

I then let out a purr myself as I recalled something that Cinderpelt had just said. "And you're thanking me? My goodness, thank you, Cinderpelt." I then looked down to see my kit making its way to my belly, then proceeding to begin suckling. "I truly could not have done that without you, seriously. And..."

I then lightly put the tip of my tail on Cinderpelt's shoulder. "I'm sorry about what happened. I'm glad that I could give you that redemption you were looking for."

Cinderpelt gave a single nod, her gaze still incredibly kind and full of relief. "You sure did. A healthy and happy new mother with a healthy and happy new kit is more than I could have asked for." Then, after the two of us exchanged a warm look, Cinderpelt nodded down to my daughter. "What are you thinking of naming her?"

I then blinked in surprise – realizing that that was a question I had never even asked myself up until this point. I never could... I then thought as I felt a pang of bitterness. That was probably the last thing on my mind, when all I was worried about was telling Scourge about the fact that I was expecting, and never being able to tell him.

I then had to push back regret as I realized something else. Will he ever know that he has a daughter?

I then quickly pushed away that thought. It doesn't matter. He doesn't deserve to know, I then told myself. I will see this kit as my own, and only my own. It's what's best for me, and what's best for her too.

I then shook my head, bringing myself back and answering Cinderpelt's question, the excitement of it distracting me from all of the frustration that had been built up for the past couple of moons. "Hm... for some reason I feel like I should wait until she opens her eyes," I answered, that being the first thing that came to mind. "Is that weird?"

"Not at all!" Cinderpelt insisted. "I've heard of and seen several mothers that do that, or even wait to see how their kits act before they give them a name."

Interesting. "Sounds like a plan then!" I replied enthusiastically as curiosity came to the forefront once again. I then looked lovingly down at my kit, simply so happy to have her and to be with her, whatever her name would end up being. "Speaking of which, where is this place that you supposedly heal and see 'several mothers'?"

I then flicked my ears, as a potential answer to the question I was about to ask came to mind, slightly exciting me. "Where are you from?"

"Cinderpelt?"

I then nearly let out a gasp, just now being able to process the several pawsteps and several unfamiliar scents that began to flood into my nose. Oh, no... Out of instinct and protection, I quickly stood up and took my kit into my jaws.

Beside me, Cinderpelt also stood up urgently. "Yeah, about that..." she muttered before stepping over to flank me. "Firestar, over here!"

Firestar?

I then could only watch, incredibly curious and nervous as these new scents became as strong as ever, and the pawsteps become as close as ever. Just heartbeats later, the crowd of cats were in sight – and a sight to behold. I immediately recognized the flame-colored tom that emerged first, and I could only assume that this was the "Firestar" that Cinderpelt had called out to. Behind him, several cats emerged, who I also somewhat recognized from just earlier.

These were the same cats that had just confronted Scourge and the rest of BloodClan, and who had also just witnessed him brutally kill Tigerstar along with me.

These were the cats that lived together in this forest – the forest that Scourge was now threatening to take over.

These were wild cats. Oh my goodness...

As I came to this realization, I couldn't help but glance over at Cinderpelt, somewhat in shock, as I put together that this was where she was likely from as well – these wild cats that Barley had spoken so well of; ones that he was even acquainted with and that were so kind.

Well, so far, one of them had been incredibly kind. I had no idea how this crowd of cats would react to this stranger holding a newborn kit in her mouth. And when they found out where I was from... I couldn't even being to imagine what that would bring...

Just take it one pawstep at a time, I then tried to tell myself, and I then tried my best to stay calm and simply focus on my kit's sweet mews as Firestar and his cats continue to come forward.

As I had expected, his green eyes were set on me – narrowed and wary, but more curious and concerned than anything. "Hm, is this the source of the yowling you were looking for, Cinderpelt?"

Cinderpelt gave the tom a sharp nod. "Yes, it is."

To my surprise, I looked back at the leader to find his gaze continuing to grow with concern. "And is everything okay?"

Cinderpelt once again let out a relieved sigh, giving another nod to the ginger tom. "More than okay, actually." I then flicked my ears with intrigue as the two then seemed to exchange a knowing look, and a warm, proud look briefly seemed to flash on Firestar's face.

But I then had to keep myself from stepping back as a fluffy white tom quickly emerged through the crowd to stand in front. "Things aren't more than okay when strangers continue to linger on our territory!" he nearly growled, staring with narrowed blue eyes back at me. "Who is she, Cinderpelt? One of those BloodClan cats?"

I hated that my flinch was probably very visible in response to that question, and I also felt my fur beginning to raise as I then felt Cinderpelt's blue gaze burn into me, among many others. "This is Mist," she answered the tom. "And to be honest, I'm not too sure, Cloudtail."

To my relief, despite Cinderpelt's words, her eyes revealed a trusting gaze with only a little bit of wariness. I could tell that the gray she-cat knew that I was from BloodClan – I surely smelled like it, and just from how nervous I had appeared with Cloudtail's question, that certainly was enough to give it away.

However, despite any of that, I appreciated that Cinderpelt was going to let that information come straight from the horse's mouth. But I was still terrified of how these cats would take it, especially with what they had just gone through with BloodClan.

So, with that in mind, I hoped that if they wanted to rip a cat to shreds, that it would just be me and not my kit. "I..." Wait...

I then quickly trailed off of my words, having to take another moment to think as I realized that... am I even a BloodClan cat anymore?

After everything that had just happened, I was certain that I never wanted to return to that camp ever again. At least, not anytime soon. The fact that Scourge had done something so horrible was bad enough, but the fact that the rest of the Clan had simply stood behind him and let it happen, let all of it happen, was more than enough for me. That community – or whatever they were – wasn't one I wanted to be a part of, and that wasn't a place that I wanted to be. And it isn't the place where I want my kit to grow up... I don't know where it will be, but absolutely anything else would be better.

Any place would be better, because I never wanted to return to BloodClan again.

And with that decision made, I set my kit at my paws and tried to stand more confidently. "I... I was," I finally answered. "I'm not anymore."

And as I had expected, there was still an uproar despite the "was".

"That's what they all say!" a dusty brown tom nearly shouted off to the side.

"This has to be a joke!" the cat who I now knew to be Cloudtail then retorted.

I then watched as Firestar simply closed his eyes and lifted up his tail. "Hold on..."

"Firestar, do you not think that she is a spy for BloodClan?" a gray speckled tom then added in.

I then blinked as another long-furred white tom, this one looking a bit older, flashed the gray tom a narrowed gaze. "Maybe if we let her speak more than a few words, we'd find out."

Firestar then seemed to flash the white tom a grateful look, and without any word, intently looked back at me.

And to my surprise, this also silenced all of the other complaining voices. The only thing I heard was a small grunt from the dusty brown tom. "Hm. Choose your words wisely," he then muttered quietly.

Uh, oh. I guess I get to speak more... And after another nervous look at Cinderpelt, I took a deep breath and tried to find the right words, also trying to find the courage and confidence that I'd had when I first went into the Twolegplace all those moons ago. "I've lived in BloodClan in the Twolegplace for moons now, but I wasn't born there."

I then let out a quiet snort. "And thank goodness, otherwise, I think leaving would have made things even harder..."

"Still seems like a likely story..." I then heard the dusty tom mutter again.

"Dustpelt..." Firestar then sighed, flashing the tom an irritated look.

"Firestar, come on!" Cloudtail then demanded. "What reason do you have to trust her? We need to send her away!"

To my surprise, beside me, Cinderpelt then let out an appalled gasp. "No!" she nearly cried out. "Do you not see the newborn kit at her paws?"

I then flicked my gaze towards the gray-speckled tom as I heard him let out a sigh. "I hate to admit it, but I think that Scourge would be sick enough to guilt us with a kit."

With that, Cinderpelt simply let out a sigh, flicked her tail dismissively, and took a step forwards towards Firestar, who I assumed to be this group's leader with how much they were addressing him. "Firestar, for once, I think you shouldn't listen to your Clanmates," Cinderpelt insisted. She then scanned her gaze around the crowd of cats. "If Scourge really did have a plan to bring this spy in with a kit this young, he would have had to come up with the plan... right now."

Then, after a few more hisses in retort, the she-cat went on. "I just helped her give birth! What she needs right now is rest and shelter!" She then looked back at Firestar, her gaze practically pleading. "Would she be able to return to camp with us?"

I then couldn't help but cringe as the hisses became even louder. I almost couldn't even think about the fact that Cinderpelt had just invited me to stay with the wild cats – the wild cats that I had wondered about and had thought about for so long.

And I still wouldn't have a lot of time to think about it. "Cinderpelt, now is not the time to bring in an extra cat!" Dustpelt then barked. "Let alone a cat that might get us into more trouble than we already are!"

"Exactly!" a dusky-brown she-cat then called out in agreement. "How in the name of StarClan are we supposed to trust her?"

I then felt my stomach twist up into a knot once again as Firestar once again let out a sigh and closed his eyes. "I suppose that we can't know for sure..."

I then blinked as I watched a pretty light ginger she-cat make her way to the front to stand next to Firestar. "I don't want a potentially dangerous cat in our camp more than any of you, but..." She then gestured towards me with her tail. "This is no doubt a young she-cat that has just given birth, and that is no doubt a kit that has just been born, and they both need to go somewhere that is safe and where they can be cared for."

A long-furred gray tom then came forward to stand on Firestar's other side. "I agree, Firestar. I'd hate to send her away like this." I then raised my eyebrows as he flashed me a quick, narrowed glance. "Although, I am wary..."

Firestar seemed to fully absorb the words of both of his companions, his green eyes dark and deep in thought as he gave a slow nod. Then, after a few moments that felt like a few moons, he finally looked back at me. "You say that you've left BloodClan?"

"Thankfully," I replied, giving a shy shrug.

"When did this happen?"

I then let out a sniff, continuing to decide to tell the truth to these cats despite how outrageous or shady it would likely sound. "Actually, funny enough, as of a few moments before this kit was born – when I saw... what Scourge did."

I then found myself having to take a deep breath. "Does that now affect if you're sending me away or not?"

I then shut my mouth, keeping myself from speaking once again as I realized that what I had been about to say next was very, very dangerous information. But at the same time... I then thought to myself, hiding this information and then having it revealed later would look just as bad...

I then let out another sigh, deciding that I was going to let the cat out of the bag – these cats might as well find out now. And what did I have to lose? "And does that fact that I was Scourge's mate make it any worse?"

And with that, the cats reacted as if someone had just told them that they were losing their forest. Wait...

"It should!" Cloudtail then growled.

"That fleabag was able to love?" the gray-speckled tom then asked in disgust.

"That doesn't matter!" Dustpelt then retorted, lashing his tail towards me and my daughter. "Of course a mate of Scourge's would try to worm her way in like this! Is that kit his?"

"And that matters?" the light ginger she-cat then called back.

"Quiet!" Firestar then yowled out. He then sighed and closed his eyes once again. "Please."

Then, after a moment, he opened his eyes and let them flit around at his cats. "Listen, as much as I want to be cautious, I would hate to assume that this is simply a cat out to get us, when it genuinely could be a she-cat that needs our help."

He then nodded to the light ginger she-cat next to him. "Whether or not this she-cat brings trouble, Sandstorm is right – if there's anything we need to give attention to, is that that is a newborn kit lying right there. It is our duty to care for a kit no matter where they come from."

And with that, both me and Cinderpelt let out sighs of relief, and I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude and disbelief. "Thank you, Firestar," Cinderpelt breathed.

"Yes, thank you," I then immediately meowed. I then looked down at my kit and at my paws for just a moment before meeting the leader's gaze with solemn eyes. "And... whether or not you take it sincerely... I apologize. I really, really apologize on behalf of BloodClan. I hate that you've been put in this position."

"Something that a master manipulator would say..." Dustpelt then muttered.

Firestar quickly shot his gaze back towards the tom. "Hey..." he meowed to him before returning his gaze to me. "Thank you, Mist," he then said to me as he began to pad ahead and lead his group through the forest. "Yes, you are certainly coming into our Clan during a very interesting time. I sincerely hope that your visit won't be something that makes it more interesting?"

I eagerly nodded back to Firestar. "I promise," I answered genuinely. "Thank you, again."

"Of course," Firestar then meowed a bit more confidently, the sun falling down on his pelt and making his fur look very true to his name. "ThunderClan welcomes you."

I gave a slow blink as I simply stared back at the tom for a moment. ThunderClan... I love that. Just the name sent a chill down my spine, and somehow filled me with pride.

I was then pulled out of my thoughts, letting out a purr as Firestar looked behind him and flashed a few of his Clanmates a contemptuous look. "Whether they want to admit it or not..." I then watched as he nodded to Sandstorm, who was still next to him. "Do you mind helping Cinderpelt bring Mist back to camp?"

And with that, Sandstorm nodded and quickly trotted up to my side. And as the two she-cats watched me pick up my kit and then began to lead me forward behind the rest of the crowd, it hit me once again as I looked at all of them that these were wild cats – the group of cats that had lingered in my mind for so long, and the cats that I had been so curious about since I was just a few moons old. With that in mind, I couldn't help but let out a small purr despite many cats in front of me looking over their shoulders and giving me wary or dirty looks.

And next to me, Cinderpelt was still looking incredibly thrilled and relieved, but wariness had still remained in her eyes throughout the entire confrontation. "Alright, Mist, now it's your turn," the she-cat then leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Can I trust you?"

I also leaned over and whispered back. "In my current condition, I'm not sure you have much of a choice." After the two of us exchanged a quiet purr of amusement, I went on. "Yes, you can trust me. I hate that I had to be betrayed by Scourge and BloodClan to realize that I didn't belong there, but nevertheless, here we are."

I then let out a sigh as I simply stared ahead. "I'm never going back there. And right now, all I want is for my kit to be safe."

"I'll take it," Cinderpelt replied warmly. She then lightly touched her nose to my brown tabby and white daughter that was still in my jaws. "And I'll make sure of that. We'll all make sure of that."

Suddenly being filled with amazement, I gave Cinderpelt the slightest nod. "Thank you..."

And then, as we continued through the forest, I found that I was somehow feeling more content and free than I had in a very, very long time, despite the hurt, grief, and betrayal that I still felt after the events of today. But I suppose that giving birth to the most wonderful kit in the world, and being shown some kindness really could turn things around...

And as I looked around at the cats that had shown me this kindness, I had to admit to myself that they had all the right to be wary of me, and I hoped that they would soon be able to trust me.

And as much as I also hated to admit it, I still didn't trust them fully. Sure, they clearly were on the opposite side of BloodClan and were the victims of this situation, they were still completely unfamiliar to me, and so different from anything that I had ever known.

But whatever the case, I felt that I had no choice but to cling to the little ounce of compassion that they were already showing me.